“This project will address environmental concerns, enhance green infrastructure and help revitalize neighborhoods, spurring economic development in Nebraska’s capital city,” said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. “Plans include improvements to streets and alleys to make them more pedestrian- and bike-friendly. In addition, the project will enhance the work of local neighborhood and community leaders to connect Lincoln’s historic area with the State Capitol building, which was completed in 1932.”

Lincoln and four other state capitals were selected from a total of 23 cities that responded to a solicitation of interest by EPA. Through itsGreening America’s Capitals program, EPA will also fund private sector experts to provide sustainable design assistance to Montgomery, Ala.; Phoenix, Ariz.; Washington, D.C.; and Jackson, Miss.

Greening America’s Capitals is not a grant program, but provides direct technical assistance to communities by working with private sector experts and leveraging federal and state partnerships. In addition to helping the selected state capitals build civic pride and a greener future, this assistance will help create models that many other cities can look to in creating their own sustainable designs.

Lincoln is actively working to revitalize a densely built South Capitol neighborhood, which is 287-acre primarily residential neighborhood directly south of the Capitol. The city and neighborhood are addressing many challenges including a high number of older homes and businesses, aging sanitary sewers and water mains, and lower per capita income than the rest of the city.